He said: “I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of all my staff at HIT and other colleagues working to deliver apprenticeships and upskill the country.

“The satisfaction for me is seeing employees in the hotel and catering sector gain skills, confidence and competence through their apprenticeship to improve their life chances and earning potential.”

Margaret Serna, Lincoln College chair

Ms Serna’s CBE was for services to FE.

She told FE Week: “I am deeply honoured and very proud that I am being recognised for a role that I consider it a privilege to be able to undertake.

“I have been a board member for eight years and chair for five years now and have found working towards enriching the lives of young people through training and education a deeply rewarding and life enhancing experience.”

Mr Trobe also received his CBE for services to education.

He told FE Week: “I am delighted to have received this honour both personally and in terms of the recognition it gives to ASCL’s work in representing the voice of school and college leaders across the UK.

“It is a great privilege to represent an organisation whose members work incredibly hard to provide an excellent education for millions of young people.”

Bobbie McClelland, deputy director, reforming FE provision, BIS

Roberta (Bobbie) McClelland, deputy director for reforming FE provision at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), was awarded an OBE for services to further and vocational education.

She said: “I was surprised and delighted to receive this award, which is recognition of the contribution made by all those I have worked with to support further education.”

A BIS spokesperson said: “We are delighted that Bobbie has been awarded this well-deserved honour, in recognition of her work on further education.

“Bobbie has been instrumental in the drive to ensure this vibrant sector creates life changing opportunities for learners and delivers the skills our economy needs to grow.”

Two sixth form college principals are among those to have received an OBE.

These are Julian Appleyard of Rochdale SFC and Pauline Hagen of New College Pontefract, both of whom were recognised for services to education.

Mr Appleyard said: “I was surprised to hear the news and was shocked to receive a letter from the Cabinet Office about six weeks ago asking whether I would accept the honour.

“I thought it was a wind up! It is truly humbling.”

Ms Hagen said she was “proud” and “grateful” for her honour.

“I’m also grateful to the team at NEW College Pontefract, for their talent, their drive and their profound commitment to our vision. This recognition will inspire us to climb more mountains!”

An OBE also went to former chief executive of the Association of National Specialist Colleges (Natspec) Alison Boulton, for services to education.

She said: “My work has always been about improving access to meaningful further education for young people with learning difficulties in order to improve their quality of life and opportunities.

“I hope it has made a difference, though I know there is still a long way to go.”